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Galápagos Sea Lion

Mammals

The Galápagos sea lion, Zalophus wollebaeki, is the smallest sea lion species. It lives and breeds on the Galápagos Islands and in smaller numbers on Isla de la Plata off mainland Ecuador. First described by Erling Sivertsen in 1953, it was long treated as a subspecies of the California sea lion, but genetic data support a separate species. Adults measure 1.5 to 2.5 m and 50 to 400 kg, with males larger. They are carnivores feeding mostly on sardines, along with squid, octopus and lanternfish, and the lifespan is estimated at 15 to 24 years. Most of the population is protected within the Galápagos national park and marine reserve.

Facts
Classification
Diet
Carnivore 1
Diet
Piscivore 1
System (Realm)
Marine 1
Threats
Climate Change and Severe Weather 1
Relationship to People
Ecotourism and Research 2
Living or Extinct
Yes 1
Conservation Status
Endangered 3
Body Size Band
Large 2
Activity Pattern
Diurnal 2
Lifespan
24 1
Comparison
CITES Appendix
Not Listed 2
Connections

Child Taxon Of

Otariidae, Taxa
Source Galápagos sea lion (Wikipedia)
Zalophus, Taxa
Source Galápagos sea lion (Wikipedia)

In Biome

Marine, Biomes
Source Galápagos sea lion (Wikipedia)

In Ecosystem

Galapagos, Ecosystems
Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Zalophus wollebaeki (Animal Diversity Web)
In the Other Atlases

Found In

Ecuador

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Galápagos sea lion (Wikipedia)Article text, range
Quote, Article text, range
is a species of sea lion that lives and breeds on the Galápagos Islands and, in smaller numbers, on Isla de la Plata (Ecuador)
Sources
1. Galápagos sea lion (Wikipedia)
  • Article text, sys
    is a species of sea lion that lives and breeds on the Galápagos Islands and, in smaller numbers, on Isla de la Plata (Ecuador)
  • Article text, diet
    it is known that they are carnivores that feed mostly on sardines
  • Article text, diet, diet
    which classifies them as piscivores
  • Article text, ext
    is a species of sea lion that lives and breeds on the Galápagos Islands and, in smaller numbers, on Isla de la Plata (Ecuador)
  • Article text, range
    is a species of sea lion that lives and breeds on the Galápagos Islands and, in smaller numbers, on Isla de la Plata (Ecuador)
  • Lifespan
    The life span is estimated to be 15
  • Population and El Nino
    The reduction in food availability during El Ni
  • Child Taxon Of: Zalophus, Lead, tax
    The species belongs to the family Otariidae and genus Zalophus.
  • In Biome: Marine, Article text, biome
    is a species of sea lion that lives and breeds on the Galápagos Islands and, in smaller numbers, on Isla de la Plata (Ecuador)
  • In Group: Pinnipeds (Seals, Sea Lions and the Walrus), Article text, grp
    The species belongs to the family Otariidae and genus Zalophus.
  • Child Taxon Of: Otariidae, Lead
    The species belongs to the family Otariidae and genus Zalophus.
View the Source
2. Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Zalophus wollebaeki (Animal Diversity Web)
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology
  • Physical Description, range mass
    50 to 250 kg
  • Key behaviors
    diurnal
  • Conservation status, CITES
    No special status
  • Economic importance for humans: positive
    Galapagos sea lions may draw in tourists as they are endemic to the Galapagos islands
View the Source
3. SeaLifeBase: Zalophus wollebaeki
SeaLifeBaseIUCN Red List Status
Quote, IUCN Red List Status
Endangered (EN) (A2ab); Date assessed: 26 October 2014
View the Source
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